Anne Aittoniemi: "People are one of our most important assets"

It is no understatement to say that Nokian Tyres has always been part of Anne Aittoniemi’s life. Now an External Communications Specialist for Nokian Tyres, Anne grew up in the town of Nokia just a stone throw’s away from the Nokian Tyres headquarters and Finnish factory. The red brick buildings, earliest of which date back to a hundred years ago, were already then a local landmark, and Anne walked past the factory buildings daily to school, to hobbies and to visits with friends. 

- It almost feels like part of the family, Anne says, and no wonder: her grandparents as well as both her parents, her brother and uncle all worked for the predecessor of Nokian Tyres, manufacturing paper, electronics and other rubber goods such as boots along with tires. 

- I still remember the smell of rubber on my mom as she returned home from work. It always takes me back to my childhood. 

The smell of rubber may have become rare with the modernization of the Nokia factory, but tires have remained a big part of Anne’s life nevertheless. Her first job at the company was at the manufacturing floor of the paper factory in 1984, but in 1988 she started her career in the world of tires as an assistant in the purchasing department. After that, Anne worked as a maternity leave substitute in many positions within the company, which she thinks to be one of the best parts of her early career. 

- I got to see so much of the company and how different functions work. I still have dear colleagues from those days, more than one of whom have been with the company for over 30 years like I have. 

Eventually, Anne found her permanent position in the communications department where she now works in a team responsible of company releases, stock exchange releases, interim reports material and annual reports. 

- What I like most about working in communications is that it is at the core of the company. The purpose of communications is to see all that is going on and to rely it to all relevant stakeholders. It’s a very important part of the company and I find my job very meaningful within it. 

During the decades Anne has made a career within Nokian Tyres, she has seen the company go through many changes. Not only have the communications technologies developed from fax machines to laptops, the company has developed into a global firm with several factories and colleagues across the world. 

- The global expansion has been interesting to witness. One of the biggest events from my early career was when the company was listed on the stock exchange in 1995. It was a big change in culture and a big push forward. 

Anne believes that the strong roots have helped the Nokian Tyres team through many demanding times - together. 

- I have been here to witness the challenging times. We have gone through recessions and changes in the business environment, most recently our controlled exit from Russia. But we have always had faith in the future. Our innate perseverance kept us going. 

Anne believes people are one of the most important assets Nokian Tyres has to build the future of the company on. The relentless desire to move forward is what unites the Nokian Tyres team across the world. 

- The world develops, and we develop with it. I have so many brilliant new and old colleagues who all bring their expertise and knowhow to the company. I also feel that I can bring the perspective of long experience to the table. My colleagues are great: they all have their own strengths and fields of expertise, and they are all creative and dare to leap boldly into the unknown.